Monday, June 22, 2009

Now I know my ABCs?

So, last week I learned the alphabet song in Hebrew, so I know the names of the letters and what order they go in.

This week's challenge: learn to recognize them all and write them correctly. I'm at the point right now where I can sing my ABCs, but I can't tell the difference between P and T. Can someone please tell me why hay and chet look so much alike? Or dâlet and chaf sofît? Or shin and sin?

Sure, I could wait until Hebrew classes start in September to do this, but I want to be able to read along in the Hebrew side of the Siddour now, darnit. (I never was good at patience.)

So I'm copying and recopying and recopying the alphabet. My poor alephs are pathetic looking. And I need to make some flashcards. I feel kind of like a little kid drilling math facts or something...

My Bookshelf

Berkowitz, Allan L. and Moskovitz, Patti. Embracing the Covenant: Converts to Judaism Talk About Why & HowBerlin, Adele, Brettler, Marc Zvi and Fishbane, Michael (eds.) The Jewish Study BibleDiamant, Anita. Choosing a Jewish Life: A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and FriendsGoldman, Ari. Being JewishJohnson, Paul. A History of the JewsLieber, David and Harlow, Jules (eds.) Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary

En route to my bookshelf:

Cohen, Norman J. The Way into TorahGillman, Neil. The Way into Encountering God in JudaismHoffman, Lawrence A. The Way into Jewish PrayerKula, Irwin and Ochs, Vanessa L. (eds) The Book of Jewish Sacred Practices: Clal's Guide to Everyday & Holiday Rituals & Blessings

Wish list:

Agnon, Shmuel Yosef. Days of Awe: A Treasury of Jewish Wisdom for Reflection, Repentance, and Renewal on the High Holy DaysBarnavi, Eli. A Historical Atlas of the Jewish People: From the Time of the Patriarchs to the PresentDonin, Hayim H. To Pray as a Jew: A Guite to the Prayer Book and the Synagogue ServiceFrank, Daniel. The Jewish Philosophy ReaderGilbert, Sir Martin. The Holocaust: A History of the Jews of Europe During the Second World WarGreenberg, Blu. How to Run a Traditional Jewish HouseholdHammer, Reuven. Entering Jewish Prayer: A Guide to Personal Devotion and the Worship ServiceHilberg, Raul. The Destruction of the European JewsKlein, Isaac. A Guide to Jewish Religious PracticeScheindlin, Raymond P. A Short History of the Jewish People: From Legendary Times to Modern StatehoodTelushkin, Joseph. Jewish Literacy: The Most Important Things to Know About the Jewish Religion, Its People, and Its HistoryTelushkin, Joseph. Jewish Wisdom: Ethical, Spiritual, and Historical Lessons from the Great Works and ThinkersTwersky, Isadore (ed.) A Maimonides ReaderWaskow, Arthur I. Seasons of Our Joy